30,087 research outputs found
A new quantum fluid at high magnetic fields in the marginal charge-density-wave system -(BEDT-TTF)Hg(SCN) (where ~K and Rb)
Single crystals of the organic charge-transfer salts
-(BEDT-TTF)Hg(SCN) have been studied using Hall-potential
measurements (K) and magnetization experiments ( = K, Rb). The data show
that two types of screening currents occur within the high-field,
low-temperature CDW phases of these salts in response to time-dependent
magnetic fields. The first, which gives rise to the induced Hall potential, is
a free current (), present at the surface of the sample.
The time constant for the decay of these currents is much longer than that
expected from the sample resistivity. The second component of the current
appears to be magnetic (), in that it is a microscopic,
quasi-orbital effect; it is evenly distributed within the bulk of the sample
upon saturation. To explain these data, we propose a simple model invoking a
new type of quantum fluid comprising a CDW coexisting with a two-dimensional
Fermi-surface pocket which describes the two types of current. The model and
data are able to account for the body of previous experimental data which had
generated apparently contradictory interpretations in terms of the quantum Hall
effect or superconductivity.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figure
Dynamic charge inhomogenity in cuprate superconductors
The inelastic x-ray scattering spectrum for phonons of -symmetry
including the CuO bond-stretching phonon dispersion is analyzed by a Lorentz
fit in HgBaCuO and BiSrCuO, respectively, using
recently calculated phonon frequencies as input parameters. The resulting mode
frequencies of the fit are almost all in good agreement with the calculated
data. An exception is the second highest -branch compromising the
bond-stretching modes which disagrees in both compounds with the calculations.
This branch unlike the calculations shows an anomalous softening with a minimum
around the wavevector \vc{q}=\frac{2\pi}{a}(0.25, 0, 0). Such a disparity
with the calculated results, that are based on the assumption of an undisturbed
translation- and point group invariant electronic structure of the CuO plane,
indicates some {\it static} charge inhomogenities in the measured probes. Most
likely these will be charge stripes along the CuO bonds which have the
strongest coupling to certain longitudinal bond-stretching modes that in turn
selfconsistently induce corresponding {\it dynamic} charge inhomogenities. The
symmetry breaking by the mix of dynamic and static charge inhomogenities can
lead to a reconstruction of the Fermi surface into small pockets.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
Fusion energy from the Moon for the twenty-first century
It is shown in this paper that the D-He-3 fusion fuel cycle is not only credible from a physics standpoint, but that its breakeven and ignition characteristics could be developed on roughly the same time schedule as the DT cycle. It was also shown that the extremely low fraction of power in neutrons, the lack of significant radioactivity in the reactants, and the potential for very high conversion efficiencies, can result in definite advantages for the D-He-3 cycle with respect to DT fusion and fission reactors in the twenty-first century. More specifically, the D-He-3 cycle can accomplish the following: (1) eliminate the need for deep geologic waste burial facilities and the wastes can qualify for Class A, near-surface land burial; (2) allow 'inherently safe' reactors to be built that, under the worst conceivable accident, cannot cause a civilian fatality or result in a significant (greater than 100 mrem) exposure to a member of the public; (3) reduce the radiation damage levels to a point where no scheduled replacement of reactor structural components is required, i.e., full reactor lifetimes (approximately 30 FPY) can be credibly claimed; (4) increase the reliability and availability of fusion reactors compared to DT systems because of the greatly reduced radioactivity, the low neutron damage, and the elimination of T breeding; and (5) greatly reduce the capital costs of fusion power plants (compared to DT systems) by as much as 50 percent and present the potential for a significant reduction on the COE. The concepts presented in this paper tie together two of the most ambitious high-technology endeavors of the twentieth century: the development of controlled thermonuclear fusion for civilian power applications and the utilization of outer space for the benefit of mankind on Earth
Study of Chromium-Frit-Type Coatings for High-Temperature Protection of Molybdenum
The achievement of more compact and efficient power plants for aircraft is dependent, among other factors, on the perfection of heat-resisting materials that are superior to those in current use. Molybdenum is one of the high-melting metals (melting point, 4750 F). It is fairly abundant and also can be worked into many of the shapes required in modern power plants. To permit its widespread use at elevated temperatures, however, some means must first be found to prevent its rapid oxidation. The application of a protective coating is one method that might be used to achieve this goal. In the present work, a number of chromium-frit-type coatings were studied. These were bonded to molybdenum specimens by firing in controlled atmospheres to temperatures in the range of 2400 to 2700 F
Molecular and serological evidence of flea-associated typhus group and spotted fever group rickettsial infections in Madagascar
This research was supported by the Wellcome Trust (RCDF and Senior Fellowship to ST, #081705 and #095171), the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, and the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System, a Division of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center [847705.82000.25GB.A0074].Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Process and machine system development for the forming of miniature/micro sheet metal products
This paper reports on the current development of the process for the forming of thin sheet-metal micro-parts (t < 50µm) and the corresponding machine system which is part of the research and technological development of an EU funded integrated project - MASMICRO ("Integration of Manufacturing Systems for the Mass-Manufacture of Miniature/Micro-Products" (/www.masmicro.net/). The process development started with qualification of the fundamentals related to the forming of thin sheet-metals in industrial environment, for which a testing machine and several sets of the testing tools were developed. The process was further optimised, followed by new tool designs. Based on the experience gained during the process development, a new forming press which is suitable for industrial, mass-customised production, has been designed
Electron-vibron coupling in suspended carbon nanotube quantum dots
Motivated by recent experiments, we investigate the electron-vibron coupling
in suspended carbon nanotube quantum dots, starting with the electron-phonon
coupling of the underlying graphene layer. We show that the coupling strength
depends sensitively on the type of vibron and is strongly sample dependent. The
coupling strength becomes particularly strong when inhomogeneity-induced
electronic quantum dots are located near regions where the vibronic mode is
associated with large strain. Specifically, we find that the longitudinal
stretching mode and the radial breathing mode are coupled via the strong
deformation potential, while twist modes couple more weakly via a mechanism
involving modulation of the electronic hopping amplitudes between carbon sites.
A special case are bending modes: for symmetry reasons, their coupling is only
quadratic in the vibron coordinate. Our results can explain recent experiments
on suspended carbon nanotube quantum dots which exibit vibrational sidebands
accompanied by the Franck-Condon blockade with strong electron-vibron coupling
X-ray spectra reveal the reawakening of the repeat changing-look AGN NGC 1566
We present simultaneous XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations of the repeat
changing-look AGN NGC 1566, which dramatically increased in brightness in the
IR to X-ray bands in 2018. The broad-band X-ray spectrum was taken at the peak
of the outburst and is typical of Seyfert 1 AGN. The spectrum shows a soft
excess, Compton hump, warm absorption and reflection, ruling out tidal
disruption as the cause of the outburst and demonstrating that a 'standard'
accretion disk can develop very rapidly. The high resolution grating spectrum
reveals that the outburst has launched a ~ 500 km/s outflow, and shows
photoionised emission lines from rest-frame gas. We discuss possible mechanisms
for the outburst, and conclude that it is most likely caused by a disk
instability.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, accepted to MNRAS letter
A site-specific standard for comparing dynamic solar ultraviolet protection characteristics of established tree canopies
A standardised procedure for making fair and comparable assessments of the ultraviolet protection of an established tree canopy that takes into account canopy movement and the changing position of the sun is presented for use by government, planning, and environmental health authorities. The technique utilises video image capture and replaces the need for measurement by ultraviolet radiometers for surveying shade quality characteristics of trees growing in public parks, playgrounds and urban settings. The technique improves upon tree shade assessments that may be based upon single measurements of the ultraviolet irradiance observed from a fixed point of view. The presented technique demonstrates how intelligent shade audits can be conducted without the need for specialist equipment, enabling the calculation of the Shade Protection Index (SPI) and Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) for any discreet time interval and over a full calendar year
Theory of valley-orbit coupling in a Si/SiGe quantum dot
Electron states are studied for quantum dots in a strained Si quantum well,
taking into account both valley and orbital physics. Realistic geometries are
considered, including circular and elliptical dot shapes, parallel and
perpendicular magnetic fields, and (most importantly for valley coupling) the
small local tilt of the quantum well interface away from the crystallographic
axes. In absence of a tilt, valley splitting occurs only between pairs of
states with the same orbital quantum numbers. However, tilting is ubiquitous in
conventional silicon heterostructures, leading to valley-orbit coupling. In
this context, "valley splitting" is no longer a well defined concept, and the
quantity of merit for qubit applications becomes the ground state gap. For
typical dots used as qubits, a rich energy spectrum emerges, as a function of
magnetic field, tilt angle, and orbital quantum number. Numerical and
analytical solutions are obtained for the ground state gap and for the mixing
fraction between the ground and excited states. This mixing can lead to valley
scattering, decoherence, and leakage for Si spin qubits.Comment: 18 pages, including 4 figure
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